Fire-escape



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. O. STODDARD.

FIRE ESCAPE. No. 435,778. Patented Sept. 2, 1890.

n n' II (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

0'. STODDARD.

FIRE ESCAPE. No. 435,778. Patented Sept. 2, 1890.

Ailorney NlTE STATES PATENT OFFICE.

()REN STODDARD, OF BUS'II, NEW YORK.

FIRE-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 435,778, datedSeptember 2, 1890.

Application filed May 12,1890. Serial No. 351,456. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, OREN STODDARD, a citizen of the United States, and aresident of Busti, in the county of Chautauqua and State of New York,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fire-Escapes; and Ido declare the following to be a'full, clear, and exact description ofthe invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, whichform a part of this specification.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a vertical section. Figs. 2,4, and 5 arehorizontal sections. Fig. 3 is a vertical section showing flights ofstairs.

This invention relates to certain improvements in lire-escapes; and itconsists in the construction and novel combination of parts, as willappear from the following description and accompanying illustrations.

In the drawings, A refers to a shaft or tower, preferably cylindric andmade of light sheet metal suitablv braced in position and locatedcontiguous to the buildingsay four (more or less) feet therefrom. Inheight the tower or shaft should be convenient of access from the roofof the building, and it is connected with each upper floor of the latterby gangways or bridges a, which are also protected by light-closures,and the doorways communicating therewith are in practice provided withself-closing doors to cut off the access of flames to the gang-ways orbridges.

In the tower orshaftAis provided aseries of ladders l5, arrangedcentrally thereof and connected, on a level with each gangway or bridgea, to a landing or floor Z) within said tower or shaft. The sides androunds of the ladder are preferably of gas-pipe iron, and in the floorsor landings b opposite the ladders 13 are openings c,.through whichconvenient access is had to the ladders by those descending or ascendingthe latter. The toweror shaft A may also be supplied with windingflights or series of stair-steps 0, thus augmenting the facilities ormeans for escape, adapting the same in their form forplaces of publicgatherings-such as theaters and halls-and for hotels.

Up through the shaft or tower A extends a water-pipe D, which connectswith a service water pipe underground, and is arranged close to thegangways or bridges 0, directly above which it is provided with outletsfor the escape or discharge of the water upon the said gangways orbridges, preventing the same from becoming heated. At the upper end ofthe water-pipe I). which reaches to the top of the tower or shaft A, isa circular pipe or extension cl, entirely encircling the tower orshaftupon the outside and having a series of outlet-openings d, the waterpassing out through which flows or passes down around the tower in asheet, thus preventing the latter from becoming heated.

' It will be observed that by means of this tower or shaft fire-escapenot only is means provided for the escape in safety of persons fleeingfrom a burning building, but the liremen are enabled to reach any upperstory of the building from the outside, and thus get nearer the heart ofthe fire, giving them control over the same in throwing the waterthereon. If desired, only one ladder may be used in addition todispensing entirely with stair-steps, or any other less number ofladders than the number first given (four) may be used,according to therequirements of the case.

A rod E or its equivalent is connected to a cook or valve F, provided inthe service waterpipe below the surface to protect it from the frost,and extends upward through the shaft or tower A within convenient reachof the operator or any person in the latter to permit. the ready turningon of the water to prevent the shaft or tower from becomingheated by theburning building.

llaving described this invention, what I claim, and desire to secure byLetters Patent, is-

1. Theherein-described fire-escape, having the shaft or tower providedwith landings on the same level with the upper floors of the building,ladders passing up through said landings, and a watenpipe extendingtherethrough, its upper end terminating in a circular pipe on theoutside of the tower or shaft adapted to discharge the water upon thelatter, substantially as set forth.

2. In fire-escapes, the combination, with the tower or shaft, of thewater-pipe having its In testimony whereoflaffix my signature in upperend connected to .a circular pipe on the presence of two Witnesses.

outside of said tower or shaft, said pipe having a cook or valve adaptedto be operated OREN STODDARD. 5 by a rod connected thereto and reachingup- Witnesses:

Ward within convenient reach of the operator, WM. NoR-THRoRJn,

substantially as set forth. THOS. JACKSON.

